The first Friday in February is wear red and raise awareness for heart disease. You may think what’s the link between a cancer patient and heart patient? Genetics, bad luck, unhealthy eating, poor exercise, etc. It may be any of these if a cancer patient develops heart disease. However one thing that is a common link – neuroendocrine cancer patients with carcinoid syndrome have a risk of developing carcinoid heart disease. Many patients get routinely scanned with an echocardiogram annually. Help raise awareness. Have a heart wear red on February 2nd 2024.
February is heart awareness month. Wearing the bright vibrant colour will not only make you feel better but it will help others take notice. Put on something different and draw attention- grab that person’s conscience.
Carcinoid heart disease
Carcinoid Heart Disease affects 20% of people with carcinoid syndrome it is caused by the build up of plaque in the heart valves. It affects how the heart works usually leading to surgery.
If you are stuck for what to wear on the first Friday in February think red! Encourage your work colleagues, friends, etc. Spread the word it’s good to talk and please have a heart wear red on Friday February 2nd 2024
The UK is a world class leader in cancer research. Since 2001 all the hard work given by all at The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) has played a very large part in this. After 22 years the NCRI closes its doors. The announcement about this charity of the sudden closure of this UK National Cancer Research Institute comes as a huge blow.
The charity grew over its 22-year lifespan, linked up with many partners including Blood Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now, Prostate Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer UK, plus many more. Fabulous work taken place including trials, research, specialist cancer groups, and networks. All fr the greater good of those affected by cancer; working together to improve coordination of cancer research throughout the UK and beyond. Improving the lives of millions of people around the world.
Professor Lawrence Young, Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Warwick, said: “This is yet another blow to the UK research community”
Almost 400 000 new cancer cases are diagnoses every year in the UK. Understanding the way to treat the cancer for the best possible outcome is the goal. For some prostate and breast cancers NCRI came into its own with trials, involving radiotherapy combination trials and research resulting in treatment reduction from weeks to days.
Professor Lawrence Young, Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Warwick, said: “This is shocking news that will significantly impact cancer research and the development of new treatments in the UK. This is yet another blow to the UK research community and to the position of the UK as a world leader in cancer research”.
22 Years of Ground-breaking Research to Sudden Closed Doors at The National Cancer Research Institute
The abrupt closure of the NCRI will be a huge void in cancer research. The charity well and truly made its mark, bringing the whole cancer research community together covering the whole UK and beyond. Working to improve the overall quality of life of anyone affected by cancer. Understand the cancers, develop the treatments, lessen the symptoms!
There were countless trials and research projects that have helped and will still go on to help so many people. A study showing Children with kidney cancers continue to be diagnosed with larger and more advanced tumours in the UK and Ireland than in other Western European countries, according to research presented at the NCRI Festival.
A study by Dr Jonathan Wadsley, a consultant clinical oncologist let us know Patients with low-risk thyroid cancer can receive lower dosed of radiation treatment. Thyroid cancer is relatively rare with a diagnosis of 3500 people per year in the UK, there were 434 patients in the trial. Contributing to a good study.
Trials and research improving lives of millions
Professor Robert Huddart, Professor of Urological Cancer at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Chair of the NCRI Radiotherapy Working Group (former known as CTRad), was saddened to hear the upsetting news. He said; “The UK has developed the reputation for the delivery of high quality, innovative academic trials that has changed practice and improved the outlook and lives of millions of people around the world. In radiotherapy examples include trials that introduced advanced technology reducing side effects and improving outcomes, changed prostate and breast treatments from five weeks or more to a few days”.
Professor Nick James, Professor of Prostate and Badder Cancer Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London commented: “This news is astonishing. It could be devastating for people with cancer in this country”.
Charity Partner, Blood Cancer UK Deputy Director of Research, Sarah McDonald comments on the need for clinical trials. Stating they are the route for those living with blood cancer to access treatment. Sarah Commented: “It’s sad this long-standing multi-partner collaboration will be winding down. The partnership has had success, helping thousands of people get access to potentially life-saving treatments” . She went on to say, ” NCRI has played an important role at Blood Cancer UK. We’re deeply committed to continue collaborating with researchers, patients, charities, and government to ensure the hard work of the NCRI isn’t lost”.
The NCRI have made this decision after much though and debate. The uncertain economic and research environment has had an impact on the charity. After consulting with stakeholder, it was questionable that NCRI would be able to survive in the long term. therefore, proving a risk of operational failure. Hence the decision to close.
Fiona Driscoll, NCRI Chair stated: “It is with a mix of pride and regret that we write to inform you, that after 22 remarkable years, the NCRI will be winding down. This decision has not been taken lightly and has a huge impact on the NCRI staff. We are grateful for their continued support, hard work, and professionalism at such a challenging time”.
Massive blow for research
This is a dark day, especially for anyone affected by cancer. A massive blow for research and clinical trials. Remembering the extremely hard work that has taken place, passing on information is vital so the wonderful work of the NCRI is carried on.
female lab technician doing research with a microscope in the lab.
Our house is usually always full of chatter. We have the uncanny skill of speaking and listening at the same time. Grandchildren and labradors bring much needed laughter. They are my essential sunshine on a rainy day. Most definitely turn my frown upside down and oh yes help me smile each and every day. I can always say what great fun granddaughter’s can bring.
If you were to add the age up of the three of them you only reach the ripe old age of nearly 12. Firstly there is Alexandra. She is the eldest at just turned 6, Ellie comes second at 5 years of age and Luna will be 2 at the end of the month. The girls all play so well together, shrieking up and down our hall. Running around the garden. Playing with the garden toys or walking the labradors in the back field together with me, all of us singing and chatting away. The last time the girls were playing together they went to Vogrie Country Park and what fun they had.
Individually they all like to come play at ours too, get some grandparent time. Bake cakes, do some arts and crafts, play games, garden with Granny, clean the Harley-Davidson with Papa and they most certainly love getting in the Wetroom and having a long shower, playing water games, singing at the top of their voices. We all love to go walking with Buddy and Bella my Labrador retrievers. Our back field is ideal, a wonderful safe environment for both dogs and children. Or go to unleashed Dog Park at Pencaitland and enjoy some fun.
It can be the darkest day, you could feel at your lowest ebb and these little cherubs will cheer you up no end. Melt your heart on the coldest day and yes oh yes they can all talk. Proper little chatterboxes.
This Easter weekend was particularly lovely. Alexandra helped Granny put some stickers on the window. Girls helping Papa with the ride on mower. Then oh so much fun hunting for some eggs.
Undoubtedly grandchildren fill a hole in your heart you did not know existed. For this reason I would recommend them to anyone.
How on earth did that happen? Where has time gone? My shining light, dependable caring compassionate granddaughter is a whole six years old. Wow! Alexandra is a crazy funny girl who makes me laugh and always has my back. Chattering away playing at ours, rattling the keys on the keyboard together with me as I write she is the most wonderful company. Since she turned 6 months old she has been coming to our place, for an afternoon, then an overnight, now its for whenever the need is there or she wants to come and stay. Our home is her home just as it should be for grandchildren. On her birthday she came to ours in the afternoon to blow out her candles on her birthday cake – let us celebrate because our beautiful box troll has turned six.
As a family we enjoy spending time together. At our home, it may involve cutting the grass on the lawn tractor. Going on holiday together, or to an event. Out for a walk with the dogs – my precious labradors. And most definitely celebrating a birthday like this one. It doesn’t have to be a big affair, just who matters sitting on the sofa singing happy birthday. It’s been a funny old time especially for a child of late with the pandemic, isolation and face masks, no birthday parties. However the most important thing has never left – love. Knowing that we are loved we can get through anything.
Our 6 year old sunshine girl Alexandra turned 6 – my I blinked my eye and she has grown……….
Over the last few months life has certainly had its up and downs. As usual getting the usual carcinoid syndrome treatment. Not feeling the best at times and all that comes with it. However on the plus note covid restrictions have been a lot better, I have seen my family much more, Steve has been on the Harley-Davison®. We managed an evening out to see Del Amitri live in Edinburgh, at the Queens Hall. Our youngest son graduated from university. I got head hunted for a job from a very reputable company. We have a lot to be grateful for. As I was sitting working on my computer my phone gave a familiar bing. I looked over, it was letting me know my screen time was down. Most likely because I have been writing more this week, and I have gave the social media platform Facebook a wider berth over the last few weeks; mainly due to seeing the same old…… Although I have to confess I did see a few things on it today that made me smile, and other things that put me off…… on reading down the page I thought what has made me smile today?
Firstly waking up and being alive makes me smile. Every day is a bonus. I love where I live and who I live with. I open the curtains, roll up the blind in the morning, look out my bedroom window and the view of my back garden is a huge field where I enjoy walking my loyal Labrador Retrievers.
Buddy sitting at the front door
My boy Buddy is my assistance dog. He takes great care of me. Knows when my glucose levels drop. When my heart is misbehaving. He was such a great chap and tapped my nurse on the knee on Wednesday when she was attending to me, I asked her to check her blood sugar level it was sitting at 3.9 – he knew she was hungry.
My family not only make me smile they make me laugh. We have fabulous times together. Play old fashioned games, sit and talk, sing together, dance in the house and most importantly love each other.
Writing keeps me sane as well as makes me smile. Jotting down in a diary, keeping a journal, and writing for a living. I simply love it.
Listening to music most definitely made me smile today. Whether it is music on Apple Music, reminiscing about times gone by, Steve strumming his Martin guitar and beautifully singing along or Alexandra practicing her heart out on the violin or getting a guitar lesson from her Grandad. All those tunes give me such a warm feeling inside. It made me remember about that time……well will keep this one to myself…….
Remembering yesterday, listening to stories about the trip out pumpkin picking and dancing around the house and face painting.
smile each and every day 